UNIBLU: Uniper and CMBlu cooperate on the construction of an innovative large-scale electricity storage facility at Uniper's Staudinger site

press-releaseAugust 31st, 2022
  • Forward-looking, ambitious cooperation between Uniper and CMBlu Energy AG: Based on CMBlu technology, a new type of environmentally friendly large-scale power storage system is being installed at the Staudinger power plant
  • Commissioning is scheduled to take place as early as 2023
  • The plant will have an initial output of 1 MW and a capacity of 1 MWh

Uniper and CMBlu Energy AG are jointly launching the construction of an innovative, environmentally friendly large-scale electricity storage system in megawatt range. This will be operated on the basis of organic solid-flow batteries. This novel battery storage technology was developed by CMBlu and is expected to be able to cover a wide range of applications and markets in the future. It is now to be installed for the first time in Germany at Uniper's Staudinger power plant as part of a pilot project. The Staudinger power plant in Großkrotzenburg is one of Uniper's most powerful power plant sites and can supply up to 2 million people with electricity.

 

The aim of the collaboration between Uniper and CMBlu Energy is to evaluate the technological and economic suitability of the novel, prototype electricity storage system for the intended type of use and to help this future technology achieve a breakthrough. This will also lay the foundation for a decision regarding the gradual expansion of the electricity storage facility at the Staudinger site.

In the long term, the storage facility is to be integrated into the infrastructure there and certified. Uniper is thus driving forward the transformation of its German generation and storage capacities.

 

"In terms of sustainable climate protection, we need high-performance stationary electricity storage for renewable energy volumes. The increasing electrification of processes in industry and in private households is leading to a growing need for base-load capability from renewable energies to maintain security of supply. Solid-flow batteries are ideally suited for this purpose in Uniper's view. The cooperation with CMBlu is not only part of a future-oriented and sustainable transformation concept for the energy world of tomorrow, but can also enable long-term employment in the region. With CMBlu, we have deliberately chosen a partner who is a leader in the development of solid-flow batteries in order to be able to enable short-term application of the technology", says Arne Hauner, Director Innovation, Uniper.

 

"CMBlu Organic Solid-Flow technology combines the best of both worlds: High energy density of solid-state with the arbitrary scalability of capacity and performance of flow batteries, without their drawbacks. This makes it a competitive and cost-effective alternative to existing storage technologies, and as a gamechanger it can take the energy transition a decisive step forward. The materials of our organic solid-flow batteries are available worldwide in virtually unlimited quantities, there are no dependencies on rare or conflict-affected raw materials and supply chains, and in addition, all core components and almost all parts of our battery are recyclable.  Moreover, it is virtually neither flammable nor explosive, so it is correspondingly safe to operate and handle", explains Dr. Peter Geigle, CEO of CMBlu.

 

The plant will initially have an output of 1 MW and a capacity of 1 MWh and is expected to go into operation in 2023. After successful completion of the pilot phase, this demonstrator can subsequently be expanded to a large-scale power storage facility in the double-digit MW range and also be used at other locations.

 

For more information, please contact:

CMBlu

Dr. Kai-Nils Eicke
DJM Communication GmbH
T +49 (0) 173 17618 19
k.eicke@djm-com.de

 

Uniper SE

Lucas Wintgens
T +49 160 956 530 04
lucas.wintgens@uniper.energy

About CMBlu

Since the founding of CMBlu Energy AG in 2014, the company based in the Rhine-Main area has been developing organic solid-flow batteries. It is now one of the world's largest developers of non-lithium-based energy storage systems in the multi-megawatt range. CMBlu employs over 150 people in research, development and production. With the upcoming market launch of its battery systems, the company is focusing on a clear growth path.

 

About Uniper

Uniper is a leading international energy company, has around 11,500 employees, and operates in more than 40 countries. The company plans for its power generation business in Europe to be carbon-neutral by 2035. Uniper’s roughly 33 GW of installed generation capacity make it one of the world‘s largest electricity producers. The company's core activities include power generation in Europe and Russia as well as global energy trading and a broad gas portfolio, which makes Uniper one of Europe’s leading gas companies. In addition, Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.

 

The company is based in Düsseldorf and is one of Germany’s largest publicly listed energy supply companies. Together with its main shareholder Fortum, Uniper is also Europe’s third-largest producer of zero-carbon energy.

  

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.